Michelle Andrews

Costly Confusion: Medicare’s Wellness Visit Isn’t The Same As An Annual Physical

KFF Health News Original

Medicare doesn’t pay for an annual physical, but it does cover an annual wellness visit focused on preventing disease and disability by coming up with a “personalized prevention plan” for future medical issues. It is important to use the correct term when scheduling a doctor’s visit.

Por qué el sarampión afecta tanto a la comunidad ortodoxa judía de NY

KFF Health News Original

Se han confirmado 370 casos de la enfermedad en todo el estado hasta la última semana de marzo, sobre todo en el municipio neoyorquino de Brooklyn y en el condado de Rockland al noroeste de la ciudad.

Why Measles Hits So Hard Within N.Y. Orthodox Jewish Community

KFF Health News Original

More than 275 people — mostly in Orthodox Jewish communities — have been infected since the disease began spreading in October. That’s about half of the confirmed cases in 11 states that were reported nationwide by the federal officials since January 2018.

Progressives Tout ‘Medicare-For-All’ But States Eye ‘Medicaid Buy-In’

KFF Health News Original

New Mexico is one of several states looking at offering consumers a government-sponsored plan. The proposals would typically have benefits similar to what is available in Medicaid, the state-federal health plan for low-income people.

Hep C And Drug Abuse Often Go Hand In Hand, But Screening For Infection Lags

KFF Health News Original

As the number of people who inject drugs has soared, the rate of hepatitis C infection has climbed steeply, too, because the disease can be tied to sharing needles. Yet many drug patients are not checked for the virus that can damage the liver.

Need Health Insurance? The Deadline Is Dec. 15

KFF Health News Original

Enrollment is lagging compared with last year’s pace. But experts say sign-ups tend to accelerate as the deadline nears, and many people will be automatically re-enrolled, so the final numbers could approach last year’s totals.

Attention, Marketplace Shoppers: Don’t Delay On 2019 Enrollment

KFF Health News Original

Plans offered through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces for 2019 are on sale now. Consumers should check them out soon, because in many states most sales end on Dec. 15.

New Contractor For Food Stamps Upsets Cart For Farmers Markets

KFF Health News Original

If a popular app used by many farmers markets to process federal supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits is no longer offered next spring, consumers’ access to fresh produce may be stalled.

States Act To Safeguard Young Cancer Patients’ Chances To Have Children

KFF Health News Original

Fighting cancer often involves toxic therapies that can cause infertility. In the past couple of years, five states have moved to require that plans pay for services such as egg removal and storage.

El remedio para las cuentas médicas sorpresa puede estar en una ley federal

KFF Health News Original

A partir de un caso reportado por Kaiser Health News, expertos analizan la posibilidad de que una ley federal sea el comienzo para solucionar las tremendas cuentas sorpresa.

The Remedy For Surprise Medical Bills May Lie In Stitching Up Federal Law

KFF Health News Original

The wide-ranging law has the potential to blindside many consumers whose health care comes from company and union health plans that are “self-funded,” meaning they pay claims out of their own funds.

Shifting Gears: Insuring Your Health Column — Born With The ACA — Draws To A Close

KFF Health News Original

The column, which began in 2010 shortly after the federal health law was signed, helps explain how that law affected Americans. Michelle Andrews, the author, will continue to report for KHN.

Biorhythms And Birth Control: FDA Stirs Debate By Approving ‘Natural’ App

KFF Health News Original

Critics worry about the message federal officials are sending by approving a new birth control option, which uses a mobile phone app for women to track their body temperature and menstrual cycle to avoid pregnancy. But the more choices the better, some reproductive health experts say.

Feds Urge States To Encourage Cheaper Plans Off The Exchanges

KFF Health News Original

Many insurers added surcharges to policies they sold to individuals last year to make up for a cut in federal funding. Now, federal officials suggest that states encourage insurers to sell policies without those surcharges outside of the marketplace to help people who don’t get a premium subsidy.